Natalia's husband put on suicide watch as he is charged with murder

The husband of Natalia Karaczyn, whose body was discovered in Sligo on Tuesday, has been charged with her murder.

Rafal Karaczyn (32) appeared before Sligo District Court yesterday where Garda Sergeant Cathal Duffy gave evidence of arresting him at Ballymote Garda Station on Wednesday evening.

Mr Karacyzn, of Crozon Park, Sligo, was remanded in custody to appear at Harristown District Court, Castlerea, on a charge of murdering his wife at their home on Sunday. Gda Sgt Duffy told the court that he arrested Mr Karaczyn shortly before 7pm on Wednesday and at 7.43pm he charged him.

Strangled

The accused made no reply when the murder charge was put to him.

It was agreed in court that Mr Karaczyn should be put on suicide watch. His family, who were in court for the hearing, supported the request. Legal aid was granted to the accused.

The body of Ms Karaczyn (30) was recovered near Lough Gill, Co Sligo, shortly after 10am on Tuesday following a large-scale search effort by local gardai. She had been strangled.

The mother-of-three had been missing for more than 48 hours after returning to her home in Crozon Park on Sunday morning following a night out with friends.

Barrister Keith O'Grady, representing Mr Karaczyn, asked Gda Sgt Duffy to confirm that the accused had first been arrested on Sunday night; that he was not interviewed then but was interviewed by gardai on Monday and through the night, and that he was released without charge on Tuesday morning.

Mr O'Grady said that, within three hours, Mr Karaczyn returned voluntarily to make matters known to gardai and after that the body was found and the accused co-operated with officers.

Gda Sgt Duffy confirmed that this was the case.

Bearing in mind that the deceased was his wife, Mr O'Grady asked that he be placed on suicide watch while in custody.

Gda Sgt Duffy said gardai had also taken action in that respect while he was in custody on Wednesday night.

Mr O'Grady told Judge Kevin Kilraine that members of Ms Karaczyn's family were in court and wanted it made known that they were there to support her husband and wanted him placed on suicide watch.

Judge Kilraine agreed with Mr O'Grady that Mr Karaczyn should be placed on suicide watch and he remanded him in custody to appear at Harristown District Court today.

Solicitor Laura Spellman said the accused was of modest means and Judge Kilraine granted him free legal aid and certified for counsel.